Troopers confirm second moose with arrow in nose

FAIRBANKS — Bow hunters near Fairbanks are having problems with their aim.

For the second time in two months, a moose has been spotted with an arrow protruding from its nose, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported.

State wildlife biologists in October tranquilized a moose north of the city and removed an arrow from its nose.

Alaska State Wildlife Troopers on Saturday took a report of a moose with an arrow south of Fairbanks near the city of North Pole.

Wildlife trooper Dave Bump arrived in time to see a moose with arrow fletching sticking out from its nasal area. The moose walked away before Bump could determine if the injury was serious or superficial.

“I didn’t watch it long enough to see what kind of problems it was having, but anything that’s impeded by having an arrow in its head is more than likely having problems,” Bump said.

No one knows when the moose was shot. A hunt for moose without antlers closed Nov. 27. The regular hunting season is earlier.

“We don’t know how long the arrow has been in there,” Bump said. “It could have been wounded since September. If we knew it was wounded in the fall, that would definitely lead us to the assumption it’s doing OK, since it’s been living since the fall.”

The hunter who wounded the first moose reported the incident to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. He shot the young bull in late September and was unable to track it down before hunting season ended.

Neighbors spotted the moose and dubbed him “Bullseye.” Biologists responding to a sighting determined the moose would thrive with the arrow removed.

Troopers don’t know who shot the latest injured moose, and they’ve received just one call about the animal.

“We don’t know where the moose is at this point,” Bump said. “Once we get other calls and see where the moose is and how it’s behaving, we might be able to determine if some action needs to be taken or if we need to put it down.”